JD790, B7610, or CK30

WkndWarrior · Apr 27, 2005

I've been wrestling with which tractor to look at for a few weeks now. My needs are as follows:

1) Primary use will be to mow 3 acre lawn, and I would like to attach a 60" belly mower for maneuverability. I don't want to mark up the yard too bad, either.
2) Secondary use will be to use as a tiller/preparation of hunting food plots with a tiller, small disc, harrow, etc.
3) Eventually would like to attach a rear mount cutter to mow 5-10 acres of CRP pasture once each year
4) Will use to plow what little snow we get in Central/Southern IL

The above mentioned tractors all seem to be in my budgeted range. I am planning to only get the tractor and mower initially, with an eye toward getting a FEL in 12 - 18 months due to budgetary constraints. I already have a tiller available for my use. I've also heard conflicting info. about the ability to mount a MMM to the CK30.

As you can see, I'm a newbie. Any advice, comments, suggesttions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Bob_Skurka · Apr 27, 2005

Between the JD790 and the Kubota B7610, my choice would be the Kubota, it is a more modern design, it is very light and makes a great mowing tractor with a 60" Mid Mount Mower. For FEL work it is pretty good. The frame size is nice and small so that aids with manuverability around trees and shrubs. And it has the Kubota diesel engine, something that I think is probably the best in the industry. The 790, while a very capable tractor has a bit more power but seems very cramped to me, and is an old design that I just don't feel very comfortable with. I would say the two tractors are roughly comparable machines.

Toss the CK30 in the mix and we have a much heavier, larger tractor that is compared to smaller lower power machines. I like the CK30, it has a nice modern design and a very capable loader, certainly the most powerful of the 3 you picked. The tractors are a mis-match. If you are looking for the largest most powerful you can get for the money, the CK30 would be the winner. But I don't know about using a Mid Mount Mower with the CK, I also don't favor using a heavy machine for a lawn mower around the house. But for bush hogging, this would again be the better choice.

KiotiJohn · Apr 27, 2005

MMM= the Kubota in my book. The CK30 MMM is not yet available, and if it's made by the current maker of the MMM for CK20, I wouldn't want it because of design flaws (to me) that on one allows too much out the front clogging the prescreen on the radiator too quickly, and on the other, the belt pully is too small and belts wear quickly.
The CK30 is not a good comparison to the others, it's much larger and heavier. I don't care much for the JD model, but that's just me. The Kubota sounds right for MMM and the other uses if you can't pull a rear finish mower around that 3 acres.
John

WkndWarrior · Apr 27, 2005

Do you think the 24HP offered by the B7610 is enough to till and cut fescue?

KiotiJohn · Apr 27, 2005

( Do you think the 24HP offered by the B7610 is enough to till and cut fescue?)
Yes.

DanR67 · Apr 27, 2005

WW -

I've had my B7610 w 54" MMM (my first CUT) for just over 1 year now - so I can't comment on the other two - other than the CK30 is much larger than what you'll need for mowing. I can mow my @ 2 - 2.5 acres in @ 1 hour with my 54" deck - it rocks! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

You mention the MMM for "manueverability" - do you have lots of trees / rocks etc. to mow around? That was the case for me - so I did go for the MMM.

However, if you have "mostly straightaways" (or lots of mowing under "overhanging tree branches")- then I might recommend that you save some money on the MMM and get get a rear finish mower instead - but then take the saved $ and get the FEL now - really! You will NOT have any regrets!

The FEL isn't necessarily the greatest for routine snow removal - but it'll do just fine for occassional use. I'll bet you'll find plenty of other uses for it once you see what it can do - I think "power wheelbarrow" is the least of its' uses! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Just something to think about - Good luck deciding either way!

Dan

WkndWarrior · Apr 27, 2005

( WW -

You mention the MMM for "manueverability" - do you have lots of trees / rocks etc. to mow around?

Yes, many trees and obstacles throughout the yard.

Bob_Skurka · Apr 27, 2005

Do you think the 24HP offered by the B7610 is enough to till and cut fescue?


I have a Kubota B2910 and a New Holland TC24D. I use the TC24 with a 60" MMM for mowing and it is great. It is GREAT for mowing around bushes, planting beds, etc. I use a tiller on both tractors, both have FELs as well. My lawn is a combination of planted fescue & clover that is very thick and the mower works good . . . in other areas I have reclaimed prairie grass and weeds as a lawn and the mower cuts that without any struggle. I looked at and almost bought a B7610 --same power & size as the TC24D-- (long story why I didn't but let's just say it was not the fault of the tractor). I really like the smaller size but that size packs more power than you might realize. Even with heavy clay soil, I can run the tiller at full depth on the first pass thru sod.

RoyJackson · Apr 27, 2005

The 790 will suit your tasks admirably. It's got the weight and size to easily handle the 3 acres of lawn mowing and up to 10 acres of field mowing. It's also big enough to handle the tilling.
The Kubota would be great for the lawn mowing, but too small for the tilling and field mowing.

The CK30? Depends what kind of dealer service you can expect.

All in all, if you're OK with gear tractors (which are fine unless you're in confined areas...even there it's OK if you don't mind clutching), the 790 is the "pick of the litter".

Good luck in your choice.

Michigan_Mike · Apr 28, 2005

Have you considered two machines?
Maybe start with something small to handle the mowing, and when you're ready to take on the rest, add a second, larger one?

I started with a JD 445 with a 60" mmm and front blade, thinking I could do all of the things you mentioned.
Boy was I wrong. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Now, I use it only for mowing about 2 acres of lawn, and light snow removal.

I got a 790 about a year ago, and use that for what you show as 2 and 3, and also for heavy snow removal. (I grew to love my 790 this past winter. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

But to me, the 790 is too heavy to mow a lawn. The few time I've needed to run it over a lawn area, I can see how much it compacted the ground.

Just my thoughts.

johnsonauto · Apr 28, 2005

Have you looked at the Mahindra 2615 or 3015? 60" or 72" mid mower availible. Nice unit if you have a dealer in your area take a look. Dealer loacator on there web site: www.MahindraUSA.com

schole · Apr 28, 2005

If budget is an issue and you are considering the 790, have you looked at the Kubota L3400DT?

I have been extremely satisfied with mine. Plenty stong for the tasks you mentioned, nimble, doesn't seem to leave marks on my lawn if it is dry....maybe too much tractor for your chores? Gears are tight and no trouble to shift one lever from reverse to forward (H-L) to get around.

Sure was a great price in my area.

Don't buy too small.

Shawn

WkndWarrior · Apr 28, 2005

Haven't been to dealers to look yet. Planning to go this weekend!

Dumb question, but are both the B and L series from Kubota equipped with mid PTO? My wife is pretty set on a MMM. Also, how much can I expect to pay for the L2800 with FEL and MMM. If I can swing the FEL I'd love to get it. I'd also love to step up in HP from the 24 offered by the B7610 if possible. What's the main difference between the B and L series?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm just beginning to learn....it's sometimes hard to sort out all the info.

KiotiJohn · Apr 28, 2005

( What's the main difference between the B and L series? )
You know, we don't mind answering questions, but in order to really learn, it's best to go to the Kubota site and look at the information they post there. Making your own comparisons doesn't leave anything to the imagination or open it up to the opinion you're bound to get here. If there's something in the website info that you don't understand, then ask those questions here.
Go to www.kubota.com and click on their tractor links and find the models in which you're interested.
Just looking at the features section between the B and L will give you a lot of information. Then looking at all the specs will show you that there is a large difference between them.
The Ls are generally larger, more feature-laden with higher capacities for loaders and hitches than the Bs.
John

WkndWarrior · Apr 28, 2005

John, I hear what you're saying. But I have been to Kubota's site every day for the last two weeks, along with Kioti, JD, and some others too. With so many model numbers and tractors it all gets a little confusing. I guess I'm just getting to the point of information overload and it's time to go to the dealers and start asking questions and comparing the different ones that way. I'm just trying to be as informed as possible before I go. I've bought many vehicles in the last 15 years, and I've always found the more I know about what I'm looking for the less I end up getting taken advantage of. I like to know almost as much about the product as the guy who is trying to sell it to me.

Also, right now I'm at home on a dial up (no high speed access here in the stix /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif) and the Kubota specs aren't working for me. The manufacturer's websites also don't give you the disadvantages or weaknesses of each of their machines like the independent enthusiasts on this site.

Bob_Skurka · Apr 28, 2005

are both the B and L series from Kubota equipped with mid PTO? I am not 100% positive, but I believe the answer is NO on the B series as I believe the B7800 has an OPTIONAL mid-PTO. I think the other B series tractors have mid-PTOs as standard. I am pretty sure several of the L series do not have Mid-PTOs, in fact I don't know if any do. But for what you described in jobs, I wouldn't step up to the size/weight of the L series machines. Stepping up from the B7610 would likely be the B7800 (basic 30hp) or the B3030 (fancy new design with lots of features 30hp). I use a B2910 (version that was replaced by the new B3030). The B3030 is an improved version of the B2910, a very nice little tractor, and I say little because the B7800/B3030 is about as small as you can get in size and weight in the 30hp class. For what you are talking about doing, the B3030 would be an excellent choice. But it comes at a fairly high price because its design & features are top rate. The B7800 gives up some features and some refinements, but is pretty similar mechanically, etc.

The L3130 is MUCH heavier than the B7800/B3030, it is the smallest of the grand L tractors and comparitively it is a bear in the woods that is designed to tear up, knock down and rip out what it can. There are also the economy L tractors; the L2800, which I find to be somewhat rudementary and I simply don't like as I feel there are other better budget machines from other manufacturers. The L3400 is also an economy L, but it is more powerful, more refined and I think a better value than the L2800. The L3400 is heavier than the B3030 but lighter than the grand L tractors.

KiotiJohn · Apr 28, 2005

( Also, right now I'm at home on a dial up (no high speed access here in the stix ) and the Kubota specs aren't working for me. The manufacturer's websites also don't give you the disadvantages or weaknesses of each of their machines like the independent enthusiasts on this site. )
I fully understand, and I'm not saying you shouldn't ask questions at all! I just feel you may be able to SEE the differences better by seeing the specs. I know about that overload on info. I looked for a year before I bought mine. After a while, it's all greek.
John